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Police budget proposes deputy chief and flags camera costs if state grant lapses
Summary
Police Chief Ryan Duffy presented a proposed Police Department budget of $22.7 million for FY2026 and $23.8 million for FY2027, saying most of the increase is driven by salary and fringe projections and proposing a deputy chief position to strengthen oversight. He warned a lapse in a state grant would shift body‑worn camera costs onto the city.
Police Chief Ryan Duffy said the city’s proposed Police Department budget is $22,700,000 for FY2026 and $23,800,000 for FY2027, a roughly 13.4% increase over two years that he attributed mainly to projected salary increases tied to collective bargaining.
"The proposed Police Department budget for FY 2026 is $22,700,000 and in FY 2027, dollars 23,800,000," Duffy said. He told councilors the department is budgeting a $1.5 million increase in base salaries and about a 9% rise in fringe costs, which include pension, dental and health insurance and other payroll‑related expenses.
Duffy also outlined a proposal to create a deputy chief role to provide continuity of command, oversee the office of professional standards and help translate department strategy into operational practice. "The deputy chief will act as a critical link between the chief of police and our department's various divisions," he said, describing duties that include overseeing day‑to‑day operations to allow the chief to focus on long‑term planning and external partnerships.
On equipment, Duffy warned the department currently receives significant state grant support for body‑worn cameras and said the department has budgeted for those costs in 2027 if the grant is not renewed. He estimated that potential annual cost to be about $107,000 if the state does not continue funding. The department also budgeted for a statewide records management system transition and modest increases to training and contract service lines.
No formal action was taken during the workshop; the presentation was informational and will inform the council’s budget deliberations this spring.
